Lifetime costs of disability

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In 2013, CDPA was contracted by the Government of Canada to participate in the scheduled legislative review of the Registered Disability Savings Plan. We produced a paper that was embargoed until now. We share it now in the hope that it will still be useful. The literature, although difficult to summarize (due to varied methodologies), suggests that the lifetime cost of living with a disability may be estimated between $100,000 and $3 million (CAD) per person, depending on the severity of disability and the subsequent requirements for personal care, health care, and specialized housing and equipment. Credible estimates of costs are needed to ensure effective public policy regarding economic supports to people with disabilities.

Lifetime costs of disability